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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - June 22, 2021 SSLODI CITY COUNCIL SHIRTSLEEVE SESSION CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2021 An Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was held Tuesday, June 22, 2021, commencing at 7:06 a.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to Executive Order N-29-20, all Council Members participated in the meeting via teleconference and the meeting was available for viewing by the public via livestream at https://www.facebook.com/CityofLodi/ and https://zoom.us/j/93455719476?pwd=NDdhc1E4OEZyYWV3d2pDY1U5SjVZZz09; the opportunity for public comment was available through councilcomments@lodi.gov and https://zoom.us/j/93455719476?pwd=NDdhc1E4OEZyYWV3d2pDY1U5SjVZZz09. Present: Council Member Hothi, Council Member Khan, Council Member Kuehne, Mayor Pro Tempore Chandler, and Mayor Nakanishi Absent: None Also Present: City Manager Schwabauer, City Attorney Magdich, and City Clerk Cusmir Community Development Director John Della Monica and Police Chief Sierra Brucia provided a presentation regarding a transition of the Code Enforcement Division from the Police Department back to the Community Development Department. Specific topics of discussion included history, reasons for the transition, Community Improvement philosophy, steps for an effective transition, other communities which house Code Enforcement in the Community Development Department, and staff recommendation. Building Official Canwright spoke about the code enforcement philosophy, goals, and the team approach to community improvement through code enforcement. Mr. Canwright spoke about taking a systematic approach and the role of the new Code Enforcement staff will take in regards to protecting the community, in response to questions asked by Council Member Khan. Chief Brucia spoke about the Code Enforcement case load, how complaints are routed, and how violations are processed, in response to questions asked by Council Member Khan. Council Member Khan asked about hiring multi-lingual Code Enforcement Officers. City Manager Schwabauer stated that the City does try to hire individuals who speak multiple languages and that depends on the individuals who apply. Community Development Director Della Monica stated code compliance will not only focus on permitting and building issues, but also on community violations to help support communities. Mr. Della Monica explained how staff is planning on assisting people by connecting them with resources that will help them to bring their properties into compliance, in response to questions asked by Council Member Khan. Chief Brucia spoke about the role the Partners can play in A.Roll Call by City Clerk B. Topic(s) B-1 Receive Presentation and Accept Comments Regarding Transition of Code Enforcement from Lodi Police Department Back to Community Development Department (CD) 1 assisting individuals who are not in compliance of minor codes in accessing resources. In response to a question asked by Council Member Kuehne, Code Enforcement Officer Nancy Baker stated that although she has mixed feelings about the move, she is in support of the transition to the Community Development Department and that working more closely with building officials will be beneficial, depending on the type of complaint she is managing. Mayor Nakanishi stated that he is in support of the transition of the positions and spoke about the benefit of community volunteers assisting through the offering of resources. City Manager Schwabauer stated that Code Enforcement was moved to the Police Department because it was believed the move would improve compliance and there were staffing issues that led to the past move, in response to a question asked by Mayor Nakanishi. Mayor Pro Tempore Chandler voiced his support for the move of Code Enforcement into the Community Development Department. None. No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 7:41 a.m. C. Comments by Public on Non-Agenda Items D.Adjournment ATTEST: Jennifer Cusmir City Clerk 2